. >>> plus, president obama punishing russia with more sanctions, but is he hitting putin where it hurts? >>> and a billionaire accused of a racial rant caught on tape. we'll play you the racy audio recording. let's go "outfront." >>> good evening, everyone, i'm erin burnett, "outfront" tonight, millions of americans on alert, warned to take shelter right now as violent tornados ripped through the southwest and southeastern united states. at this moment we are watching four deadly storms that have already touched down, our reporters are in the center of the zone. so far, 16 people have lost their lives in oklahoma, arkansas, and iowa. you're looking right now of footage of a tornado that tore through tupelo, mississippi, just a short time ago. we just got this video in from kdr media. the governor there called a state of emergency. the violent storms threatening alabama, louisiana, and tennessee. tupelo's mayor shelton joins me on the phone. thank you very much. we're just starting to get pictures from where you are. how severe is the damage? >> thank you for having me. the damage, as fa